by Sam Crescent
“For a playboy, you sound quite possessive.”
“What did I tell you, Jennifer? Don’t believe everything you read about in the news.”
“I’ll remember that.” She laughed. Patrick loved the sound and wanted to hear her laugh more often.
“Do you want a drink?” he asked.
“Water will be fine.”
He went and got an orange juice for himself and a glass of water for her.
Sitting down, he picked up his fork and started eating.
“Your parents are not going to leave this alone, Jennifer,” he said.
Patrick had known from the moment he saw the headline of her throwing up that this was not going to go away easily. He didn’t want it to go away.
She nodded her head. “I know. Does your father, I mean, do your parents know about it?” “Yes, they want to know what we’re going to do about it.”
“They left the decision up to you?” She looked up at him. He saw the shock in her eyes.
“No, they didn’t leave it up to me. I know what they’re going to try to do,” he said.
“I don’t know what you mean, Patrick. I’m a little lost.”
Taking a deep breath, he stared into her beautiful lost eyes. She really was a lovely woman.
“Our parents have been working on a business deal together. They want to expand their operations, and the Dixon and Thompson names would be unbelievable.”
The tears filled her eyes as she realised what he was trying to say.
“A marriage between our families would be perfect. So, our incident has given them a bigger opportunity to expand?”
“Yes.”
“Was that night planned?” she asked.
He’d known she’d come to that conclusion. The moment he’d gotten off the phone with his father he’d thought the same way. “After talking with my dad I thought the same thing about you for a second.”
“You think I was there to seduce you?”
“Don’t sound so shocked. You’d be surprised how many women have tried that.” He felt defensive. The incredulous tone in her voice affected him. He wasn’t that bad a catch.
“I’ve never thrown myself at a man because my parents wish it, Patrick. I’m not that kind of woman.”
Patrick squeezed her hand. “It was a lucky coincidence between us, Jennifer. Nothing more. We met, and there was a lot of chemistry.”
She nodded her head. “We’re all acting a little crazy.”
“Look at me,” he said.
Her gaze met his.
“I want you to listen to me, and don’t interrupt. I’ve got an idea that could suit us all.”
“I’m listening, Patrick.”
Licking his lips, he allowed the idea to form and sink in. “What if we don’t get married, at least not right away? I know our parents want us to get married, but we don’t have to do as they say.”
She remained quiet for him to continue.
“We’ll be together, Jennifer. I’ll want you to move in here with me, and we’ll make a go of it. We’ll see if we can be together, and then when the baby is born or before—it’s up to you—we can get married then. What do you think?”
“Our parents wouldn’t allow it.”
“Our parents can go to hell. This is our future. Mine, yours, and the baby’s future we’re thinking about.”
“The media will have a field day with this,” she said.
“Do you really care what a load of papers say about us?”
She shook her head.
“If we do this then you can’t go with any other woman, Patrick. If you go with someone else then the deal is off.”
“Baby, with you here there is no other temptation.”
“We’re really doing this?” she asked.
“I think we’re really doing this,” he said.
“Okay, I’m going to talk to Linda first.”
He smiled. By the end of the week Jennifer would be in his home, by his side at all times. He couldn’t wait.
Chapter Six
“Your parents are going to hit the roof,” Linda said later that afternoon.
“It’s a really good idea.” Jennifer stared at her friend as Linda walked from the kitchen into the sitting room.
“If both of your parents are trying to do some kind of merger, do you really think they’ll settle for the two people who can guarantee its success, simply living together?”
Linda took the seat next to her.
“I hadn’t thought about that,” she said.
“I think it’s a brilliant idea. Your parents won’t. They’re way too controlling to allow anything like that. I’m with you, Jen.” Linda handed her a drink then eased back.
“He thought of it,” she said.
“He seems really nice.” Linda grabbed the remote and pressed the television on.
“What’s the matter?” Jennifer asked.
“Nothing. I’m just going to miss you. This place won’t be the same without you here.”
Jennifer wrapped her arms around her friend. “I’m so sorry.”
“No, it’s me. I’m being silly. I’m so happy for you, and all I’m thinking about is myself.” Linda sniffled. “He’ll let me visit?”
“Of course. Patrick is not some kind of ogre,” Jennifer said.
The rest of the day was uneventful. Jennifer hated the thought of leaving Linda, but she knew she had little choice. Pressing a hand to her stomach she wondered what the future would bring.
The following morning, Patrick picked her up from her apartment. She’d packed two suitcases worth of clothes ready to leave.
“That’s it?” he asked. He looked into the apartment. “None of this is your furniture?”
“It is, but I’m not taking anything else with me. Linda is staying here.”
“Where is your friend?”
“She’s out. She didn’t want to see me leave.”
Biting her lip, she looked back at her apartment. There were so many beautiful memories in the place she’d lived. They’d shared Christmases and birthdays together.
Shaking her head, she turned back to Patrick. “I’m ready.”
“You don’t look it.”
“I’ll be fine in a few days. I’m not used to change, and this should be good for me.” He took her case from her, and then they started walking together down to his waiting car.
“Just so you know, you’ll be sharing a room with me.”
She chuckled. “I never expected anything else,” she said.
“Also, I think we should talk to our parents together. We show a united front, and they’ll back down. I guarantee it.” He opened her door for her.
“Is that where we’re going now?” she asked.
“I thought you’d like to get it out of the way before settling into your new place.”
“You’ve already arranged it all,” she said.
“Of course. I’m efficient. Also, I’ve arranged an appointment for you to see one of the leading birth specialists. I want to be part of it all.”
“Patrick, I’ll take care of the doctor side of things. I don’t want to see someone who I don’t know.”
He closed her door and then climbed in his own side. “Can we talk about it?” he asked.
“No, this is my body, and I’ll have the doctor I trust to take care of me.”
He looked like he wanted to argue with her. She shook her head. “No arguing. When you’re carrying my baby then you get to pick which doctor you want to see.”
“You’re going to test me at every turn.”
“Yep, and you’re going to test me. This is going to be an interesting few months, Mr. Thompson.”
He leaned over and kissed her lips. “Mr. Thompson, huh? I like the sound of that.”
Patrick took her lips in an intense kiss that left her gasping for breath. He pulled away and stared into her eyes. “The sooner we can finish lunch the sooner I get you into my bed,” he said.
Her pussy melted at his words. �
��You’re going to keep me busy, aren’t you?”
“No, I’m going to make sure by the time junior pops out, you’re going to be ready to marry me.”
He pulled away and started up the car. Jennifer chuckled at his words. They’d known each other a short time, but already she felt herself falling for him. Love was such an idiotic emotion, but that is what she was starting to feel for him.
“Please tell me you haven’t picked a seafood restaurant?” she asked.
“No, I saw the paper. You really did a number on that place. Did it smell or something?”
“Don’t start. You know why I threw up.”
Patrick chuckled.
“I picked a nice little Italian restaurant. Your parents should love it,” he said.
“How did they take the news that we wanted to see them together?”
“I think they’re expecting a proposal and a ring.”
“This is going to be a long lunch then,” she said, gazing out of the window.
He caressed her thigh. “Not if I can help it.”
Patrick helped her out of the car when they pulled up to the restaurant half an hour later. She watched as he gave the keys to the man waiting and then escorted her in. The maître d’ was waiting for him. He escorted them to a seat in the back where she saw her parents waiting. The other two people she figured were Patrick’s parents.
“Mom, Dad, this is Jennifer Dixon,” he said.
“Lovely to meet you.” She shook their hands and took the seat Patrick pulled out for her.
Her parents greeted Patrick as he sat down. Keeping her hands in her lap, she stared across the table. The parents looked menacing with their penetrating gaze.
“She’s different from your other women, Patrick,” his mother said.
Gazing down at her plate she tried to think of something to say.
“Don’t start, Mom.”
The waiter brought them the menus.
“Are you okay, dear?” her mother asked. Jennifer looked up at Helen. There was concern on her face. She rarely saw her mother showing any emotion other than annoyance.
“I’m fine.”
Patrick squeezed her leg offering her comfort. The contact made her jump, which jolted the table.
“Sorry,” she said.
His mother sent her a scowl and started muttering to herself.
“Stop panicking. We’ve got this.” He leaned over to whisper in her ear.
Her blush intensified as he kissed her neck. Did he know how he was affecting her? Her body was aware of him in the most basic of ways.
They gave their orders for lunch. She noticed their mothers both ordered a salad with everything removed. Jennifer went for the same so they wouldn’t be glaring at her.
Patrick frowned at her, and she shook her head. He didn’t argue with her choice, and for that she was thankful.
“So, son, do you have some news for us?” Robert asked.
He took her hand, kissing her knuckles. “We have some news, and we don’t think you’re going to like all of it.”
“Before we get started, how did you two meet?” His mother butted in, asking her own questions.
“At a party in the library,” he said.
Jennifer’s words failed her. His mother looked terrifying.
“How charming.”
“Shut up, Susan.” His father growled at the woman next to him. Patrick kept hold of Jennifer’s hand throughout it all. “What news?”
“Well, Jennifer is pregnant with my child. She got confirmation from the doctors, and we’re ready to settle down together.”
“Are you sure the baby is yours?” Susan said.
“But we’ve decided not to marry yet.” Patrick went on ignoring his mother.
“What?” Helen asked.
“We’re going to spend the next nine months getting to know each other, and then we’re going to decide if we should take the next step,” he said.
Jennifer let him lead the conversation. She couldn’t think of a single decent thing to add to it.
“You’re not bringing my grandbaby into this world without marrying my daughter,” Helen said.
Jennifer heard the outrage in her mother’s voice and cringed at her shrill tone.
So the argument began.
****
Patrick wondered how his future mother-in-law would react if he covered his ears. Her voice was irritating. He glanced at Jennifer and saw she was embarrassed by her mother’s attitude. They’d be fighting their parents’ attitude for years to come. He knew there was no changing their minds. Susan, his mother, despised Jennifer. He saw it in her eyes as she assessed the woman at his side. What was wrong with Jennifer? She was nothing like the other women he dated.
She’s nothing like the women your mother has thrown at you either.
No, Susan would never be happy until he did as he was told.
Jennifer’s hand shook inside his, and he felt a possessive wave sweep through him. They made her nervous, and he didn’t like the affect it was having on her.
He eased his chair back and stood. Keeping a firm grip on her hand he addressed their parents.
“We didn’t come here asking for your opinion or getting your approval. This is what we’ve decided. You either accept that, or leave us alone. Come on, Jennifer, we’ve got stuff to do.”
Jennifer followed behind him on their way out to the car. He helped her inside the passenger seat before taking the wheel.
“Linda said they wouldn’t allow it,” she said.
“Ignore them. They can’t control us, and this is what we’ve decided.”
“Sooner or later we’re going to have to face the music. I hope it’s much later.” She eased back in her chair. He watched out of the corner of his eye as she lowered the window.
“Are you all right?”
“I feel a little sick. Nothing is seriously wrong with me.”
“How are you dealing with the sickness and the side effects?”
She chuckled. “You make it sound like I’m on drugs or something. I’m dealing with it. The sickness is horrible, but I imagine every woman feels that way. I ache, and most of my energy feels zapped. It is like I’ve run thousands of miles, and yet I’ve only walked from one room to another.”
“Sounds awful.”
Jennifer reached down into her purse and pulled out a list. “Linda organized a list for us. It has books and stores we can visit. She was very thorough.”
“You’re really good friends, aren’t you?”
She nodded. “We’ve been friends since we were little. My parents don’t approve. Her mother was some kind of model, which they think is appalling. I don’t care. Linda is amazing, and I wouldn’t trade her for the world.”
“How did she handle the news of the baby?”
“Like a friend does. She said if you wanted nothing to do with me or the baby then she’d happily step into the role, and we’d raise the baby together.”
He laughed. Patrick saw the two women fawning over a baby. “I can see it.”
They were silent for a few moments.
“Are you happy about the baby?” she asked.
“At first I was shocked. I got over that pretty quickly. I’m happy with the baby. Are you happy?” He glanced over at her quickly. Her hand rested on her belly.
When would she start showing?
Patrick imagined her without any clothes on and ripe with his baby. The image turned him on more than he thought possible.
“I think so. I don’t feel ready for a child. Who does, though?”
He parked the car inside his garage and took her suitcases from the back of the car. She stood waiting for him. “I’ll get you a key to the house,” he said.
Unlocking the door, he nudged her inside.
“You’re very bossy when you want to be,” she said.
“All the time, babe.” She chuckled as he put her suitcases near the door. “I want to show you something.”
He took her han
d leading her up the stairs. The grand tour would happen later. Patrick opened the door next to his room. “I was thinking this could be the nursery,” he said.
She stepped inside the room. At the moment the walls were a plain white, and there were some drawers and cabinets along one wall.
“What was this room?” she asked.
“This is where I made my fortune. The idea started in this room, and I signed the papers that made me a very rich man in this very room.”
“Are you sure you want it as a nursery? There are a lot of happy memories here.”
He glanced around the space. The decision to turn it into a nursery had been one of the hardest choices of his life. “I’d like my son or daughter to sleep here. It might give them good luck for the future,” he said.
“You’re going to be an amazing father.”
“I hope so.”
Patrick grabbed the bags filled with the baby stuff he’d bought the other day.
“I want you to see this.”
He began to pull out some toys and clothing.
“When did you get this?” she asked.
“After I found out about you being pregnant. What do you think?”
“They’re beautiful. I can’t believe you did this.”
He kissed her head, loving the way she sounded. In that moment he knew he could do this.
Chapter Seven
The press had a field day when the papers showed Patrick going into a baby store the following day. Jennifer sat at the counter eating her bowl of cereal as the telephone started. Patrick stood behind her. One of his hands touched her shoulder as the other rested on the counter. They stared at the paper together.
“You didn’t know you were being followed?” she asked.
“This was taken from someone’s camera. I wasn’t followed by the press. Someone sold their picture for money.” He cursed.
Her cell phone went off, which made her jump.
“You shouldn’t be worried, Patrick. We knew this was going to happen eventually.”
“I’d hoped we’d be the ones to announce it. Half the world knows something now.”
Linda’s picture flashed on her screen. “I’ve got to take this.”
“Go ahead. I’ll answer the one that has been ringing off the hook.”
“This is your home, Patrick. Not mine.” He took a step toward her, cupping her face.